Among all of our American celebrations and festivities, there is nothing like Christmastime.  It is a time for all-out decorating, family gatherings, mouth-watering feasts, thoughtful generosity, evocative worship, and much-needed vacation.

Two Kinds of Christmastime

The New Testament speaks of “time” in two primary ways.  The first is chronos, from which we get the word “chronology.” This is the idea of continuous time that we measure in hours, minutes, or seconds.  The second word for time is kairos, which is the idea of a fixed moment or a season of opportunity.  The difference between these two words is the difference between a minute and a moment.  A minute is measured by seconds on a clock.  A moment is measured by an experience or an opportunity.

In my book The Seven Most Important Questions You’ll Ever Answer, I speak of this issue extensively.* One conclusion I draw is that we must learn to find kairos in the chaos of our chronos.  This is especially true when it comes to Christmas.  We experience a lot of chaos in the rush and bustle of the season.  Yet, wisdom dictates that we look for and focus on kairos in the midst of the commotion.  This is the secret to a truly meaningful Christmas.

Looking for Christmas Kairos in all the Right Places

Practically speaking, how do we seize the moments, not just spend the minutes, as we celebrate the birth of the Savior and seek to enjoy the time we share with others?

Discovery, not just a date – This year our family celebrated Christmas on the weekend prior to December 25th, rather than the weekend of December 25th.  Our second son and his wife have to be back in Texas for Christmas, where he serves as a worship pastor.  Therefore, we made December 19th & 20th our Christmas celebration.   This reminded me that the focus is not on a number on the calendar but on the joy of what God has for us around this season.  It was a discovery of the moments of being together, not just a date that we rigidly have to clench.

Generosity, not just gifts – This Christmas, economic realities have changed the way many people manage their gift-giving budgets.  While the gifts may be smaller, they are more sacrificial.  This is a good reminder that Christmas is not about the presents, but the purpose of giving.  In many ways, more sacrificial and meaningful gifts are more Christ-honoring than just piling presents under a tree because it is the thing to do in a materialistic culture.

Trust, not just traditions – Families love to create and capture Christmas traditions.  Good as these may be, they inevitably change.  Children move away, family members pass away, and the “good old days” fade away.  However, Christmas is deeper than even our cherished traditions.  Christmas is the “mass of Christ” – the worship of a Savior.  He is not just a figure in history but also a living Lord, present and powerful in December 2009.  You may have lost many of your holiday traditions through the changes of time – but you can trust the living Christ with every thought, emotion, and concern of your life.

Intimacy, not just activity – Ultimately, the most wise and considerate way to experience Christmas kairos is to focus on issues of eternal significance, even though all the trappings and activities can be so captivating.  Ultimately, we must give our best energies to those eternal moments with our eternal God – and eternal moments for eternal souls.  Time spent in intimacy with Christ brings us back to the reality of the true meaning of Christmas.  Time spent focusing on eternal souls for the sake of Christ represents the heart of the Christ of Christmas.

Last year, on Christmas day, we experienced the first Christmas when not all of our children were home.  Justin and Christa were in Minnesota enjoying family in their first holiday as a married couple.   Rather than bemoan the change, the rest of us decided to go to a local nursing home – sing Christmas carols, give gifts, and pray for those less fortunate.  It was a different way to spend the day – but so meaningful.  We remembered that Christmas could have eternal significance even when the temporal trappings change.

Biblical Insight for an Ideal Christmas

God’s Word gives us solid reminders about what we do with our time this Christmas. Paul wrote, “See then that you walk circumspectly, not as fools but as wise, redeeming the time, because the days are evil.  Therefore do not be unwise, but understand what the will of the Lord is” (Ephesians 5:15–17).

Paul reminds us to be wise, not foolish, in how we manage our moments and live our lives.  Good advice for the Christmas holiday.  He tells us to “redeem” or make the most of our time, because the days are evil.  The idea here focuses on purchasing something, buying something back.  Paul is saying, “Redeem the time.” It is not yours automatically.  You have to seize it, reach for it, and grasp it.  Why? Because the days are evil.

With similar insight, Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12, “So teach us to number our days that we may gain a heart of wisdom."

Christmas is a moment when we must be wise to rise above the ever-present and growing evil of this world in order to grasp the meaning of life and the real treasures of this journey.  Let us seize these kairos moments – for the glory of Christ and the good of our souls.

On behalf of our family and ministry, I pray for Christ’s provision and presence in all of your Christmas moments.  Thank you for your friendship and partnership.

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* This book is available here at www.strategicrenewal.com and is a very relevant resource for the beginning of a new year.

Copyright © 2009 Daniel Henderson. All rights reserved.